More of Ferrer's Doctrines.

We have seen some specimens of Ferrer's detestable doctrines; other specimens, still more abominable, are yet to come. The Paris "Temps"—a journal page 13 which cannot be accused of any practical sympathy with Catholicism—gives in its issue of September 18, 1909, a few samples of the sort of teaching which was imparted in Ferrer's schools. In these institutions the children were accustomed to be told that "soldiers and officers are murderers, whose mission is to kill and to sack." The national flag is "a filthy rag put on a pole to deceive the people." The flag of one's country, again, is "a symbol of tyranny and misery." Every year "the Governments of Europe kill more men and women for their simple pleasure than there are stars in the firmament."

The misguided children who-frequented Ferrer's schools were further taught that—

"Property has been created by spoliation. Religion is an appalling falsehood—there is no God, no Christ, no future state. Science has proved these facts. ...

"All kings are monsters, who, ought to be uncrowned and punished for their iniquities, as the kings of France and England were punished centuries ago. In the great revolution which is coming, we must destroy the middle classes and the wealthy; we must destroy everything, so as to have a clear table on which to build up a new civilisation. If, amongst the political men of the day, there are one or two who pretend to sympathise with us, do not believe in their sympathy, but kill them when the opportunity occurs.

"We must abolish every existing law; expel and exterminate all monks and nuns and priests; we must expel and slay all magistrates and lawyers; we must demolish every church; we must confiscate all the money in the banks, and all the money belonging to every class of citizen, military and civil. No one must be allowed to go out of Spain, or to take any money or jewels out of the country. The railways must be confiscated to the good of the State, of the Commune.

"All the existing Ministers, courtiers, and persons at the head of the Government must be massacred, page 15 and a new set of men elected in their places, who must be of our way of thinking. Long live this revolution, which shall avenge all injustice!"^*

These appalling doctrines were printed in large capitals on placards, and such placards were hung up in every one of Ferrer's schools, so that the children might have them constantly before their eyes! And it is to the propagators of such Satanic principles that Continental Freemasons and British bigots extend their sympathy; they have no word of pity or concern for the 138 victims of Ferrer's sanguinary propaganda. No word of sympathy has fallen from their lips for the priests shot down, the policemen murdered and barbarously mutilated, and the nuns hunted by Anarchist fiends through the streets of Barcelona.

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It is needless to accumulate further proofs of the character of Ferrer's teachings. Still, for the sake of greater completeness, we may add an example or two. That Ferrer was a militant Anarchist is stated by the anti-Catholic journal, "El Impartial," of Madrid, in its issue of October 23, 1909:—"Senor Ferrer first started his Barcelona institute under the title of 'School of Liberty,' but subsequently changed its name to that of 'Modern School,' in order to escape trouble with the Government. In a few months it became a centre for the diffusion of Anarchism and Atheism, and later he organised similar schools throughout Spain." The same journal distinctly asserts that Ferrer fully deserved the fate that befell him.

Ferrer was unanimously found guilty, after a public and patient trial. In pursuance of the sentence pronounced by the court, he was shot to death, as many a braver and better man has been. But Ferrer thoroughly deserved to be shot, and to die. On July 11, 1906, he wrote over his own signature in the revolutionary organ, "El Progreso," of Barcelona:—"I believe in the principles of Anarchy, and, so believing, I teach that humanity can never accomplish its mission upon earth so long as men credulously believe in a Supreme Being, and bow down their necks to authority. Men can be freed only through the extermination of kings and rulers of every sort, and priests and parasites of every kind."

Take a fanatical Atheist and Anarchist of this kind, and place him beside the most dangerous criminal lunatic in one of our public asylums. Which of the two is the greater menace to the peace and welfare of society? Obviously, the Anarchist of the Ferrer type, for Ferrer was able to deprave and pervert thousands, and perhaps tens of thousands, of hapless children; he was able to instigate whole multitudes of men to the perpetration of murder, rapine, incendiarism, and sacrilege. A desperate Anarchist of the stamp of Ferrer is a thousand times more dangerous to society than the worst criminal lunatic in the land. If the' latter is promptly put under restraint, a fortiori, the former should be locked up, for the safety of society at large.

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It seems passing strange that the Spanish Government should have allowed Ferrer to sow his pestilent theories broadcast during so many years. A Government that allows such sanguinary and subversive principles to be freely propagated can scarcely be acquitted of gross and culpable negligence. In Ferrer's case, the proofs were ready to hand; his offences were numerous and undeniable; a conviction could easily have been secured.

It is the clear duty of the Christian State to protect its children against infection from the germs of murderous and anti-Christian Anarchism, just as it takes measures to shield the public from the bubonic plague. The State suppresses gangs of coiners, and does so with an iron hand; it should use equal firmness, and equal severity, in dealing with gangs of Anarchists. Ten years' penal servitude would suffice to break up the most desperate gang of Anarchists in existence. Unfortunately, in Ferrer's case other counsels prevailed. The State allowed him to sow the dragon's teeth, and they sprang up armed men. To vary the metaphor, the Government allowed him to sow the winds; the whirlwind had to be reaped in due season.